TheNearPostIt's easy to look at the USA's depth in the midfield(post and pre Stuart Holden injury) and talk about how that proves the USA should go with five in the midfield or three in the center.
Similarly, it's pretty easy to look at last Saturday's tie with Argentina and see that the USA is clearly a better side in a 4-2-2-2/4-4-2, at least against teams like Argentina that play a more patient, passing game.
Lets focus on the first half. The USA went with what most teams would do - five in the midfield and try to hit Argentina on the counter. They defended deep, narrow, and compact to disrupt Argentina's passing game. The general issue is that most of Argentina's good passing plays started from deeper areas, where they had most of their time on the ball. Indeed, it was a deeper player, Cambiasso, who got Argentina's goal.
Offensively, the USA couldn't really retaliate because once they won the ball back, they had no out ball. They couldn't get support up to Altidore quickly enough, and whenever he brought down the inevitable long balls, he was left to take the Argentine backline on his own, a difficult task, although one that's not COMPLETELY out of his reach.
Either way, the USA had no outlet in transition play, leaving most of their attacks to wither away, and they only managed one shot on target all of the first half.
29.03.2011
FeriAtsYou are right saying in the lone striker needs support from midfield but Altidore in particular isn't suited for that role. You'd need someone who can create something out of nothing every now and then. Dempsey would have been a better choice at that position. After all it's what he does with Fulham.
30.03.2011
TheNearPostPossibly, but the USA probably plays a different game from Fulham. I'll admit, I'm not well-versed on Fulham's style of play, but it seems like Fulham are more focused on wide play and are gifted with guys that get down the line, while the USA isn't exactly full of those kinds of players, especially with guys like Holden injured and Beasley out of form. I know Holden isn't a typical winger, but he was one of our best crosses. I also question Dempsey's hold-up play. He's good in the air and good with his chances, but the USA is going to need someone who can hold it up and that's not Dempsey. Then again, that might not be Jozy either. A guy like Buddle could do pretty well as a lone striker possible, although I wonder if he has the pace to really trouble a backline.
I'm also not sure Dempsey has been used as a lone striker, but it seems like you know what they've been doing better than me.
30.03.2011
ZolaI follow Fulham semi-regularly, they are our neighbours after all.
I think what FeriAts is talking about is the previous year. Johnson was out for almost all of the season and Zamora was out for a couple of months at one stage. Fulham was left with no strikers and they played Dempsey up front during that period, with a similar formation to yours.
He normally plays in midfield with attacking responsibilities.
30.03.2011
SpaceGhostAltidore can't cut it as a lone striker. He lacks the pace to stretch a defense and create space, and neither can he hold on to the ball without someone to play off of.
He has a place on the field in the USA 4-2-2-2, but that doesn't mean single striker systems should be avoided. I'd rather have Buddle, Agudelo, or Casey as a lone striker, with Dempsey playing central as a 9-1/2. Probably a 4-4-1-1 would best suit Team USA.
Also, distribution out of the back was a big part of the problem. Ream is a much better choice than Onyewu.
31.03.2011
pbmadmanI don't think its a fair shake for Altidore to say he isn't suited for the lone striker in a 5-man midfield. Considering who he had passing to him, its perhaps a bit rash to think the lack of production was his fault.
If we are going with a 5 man midfield we need to do one of 2 things. First would be to give Donavan and Dempsy the freedom to attack and create down the wings. The defense needs to defend better and the central 3 midfielders will need to close down the passing lanes. Donavan and Dempsy can't be used to defend. Alternatively we could put a creative player in the middle (I'd vote for Donavan actually) And have him stay central for a good outlet after we win back possession.
31.03.2011
